Removable ladder step



s. PUTNAM REMOVABLE LADDER STEP Filed Sept. 4. 1926 WI ESSES I INVENTOR a/vq v 1 4MUL PUTNAM ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 18, 1921.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

REMOVABLE LADDER STEP.

Application filed September 4, 1926. Serial No. 133,646.

This invention relates to a removable ladder step, an object of the invention being to provide a. flat step which may be supported on the rung of a ladder and give ample fiat foot support.

It is a well known'fact that, in the use of ladders having round rungs, the workman supports his weight on the hollow portion of the foot below the arch. This is not only tiresome but it is painful and injurious, and it is the broad idea of my invention to pro vide a removable step which is in the nature of a supporter, and which may be placed on any rung of the ladder and easily removed and stored in a small space.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which when placed in position on a ladder will be securely held, and whlch is capable of movement or adjustment so as to easily remove the same or place it in position as occasion may require.

lVith these and other-objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a perspective View showing my improved device in operative position on a ladder;

Figure 2 is an enlarged View in longitudinal section through a portion of the ladder and through my improved step thereon;

Figure 3 is a view in section on the line 33 of Figure 2.

1, 1 represent the longitudinal members of a ladder A which are connected by rungs 2. These members 1, 1 in many forms of ladders taper toward each other so that the rungs are gradually shorter from one end of the ladder to the other.

The side members 1 are shown of rectangular form although they may be of any shape. The illustration is of a standard type of ladder upon which my improved step is especially adapted for use.

My improved step comprises two flat members 3 and 1, located in alinement and having their adjacent ends formed with tongues and recesses, as indicated at 5, with a hinge pin 6 extending through the tongues of the respective members, and through metal reinforcing plates 7 at the edges of the step so as to hinge the two members 3 and 1 together. The extremities of these tongues and recesses 5 are beveled or inclined, as shown in Figure 2, so that when the members 3 and 4 are in alinement further pivotal movement in one direction is prevented.

Each member 3 and at carries at its free end a bracket 8 which is preferably in the form of a casting, having a base flange 9 secured to the under face of the step member by screws 10 or other attaching means. These brackets 8 have spaced outwardly projecting lugs 11 of any desired width, so that in reality the brackets are in bifurcated form to receive the side members 1 of the ladder A.

On the bottom of step member 3 a metal plate 12 is secured and is of the same thickness as the base flange 9 so as to provide a support for the step intermediate the ends of the same on a ladder rung 2. The step members 3 and 1 are preferably of wood and of any desired width, and I of course do not limit myself to the proportions or materials but it is to be understood that the step is so proportioned that it can be positioned on any of the rungs of the ladder.

The drawings illustrate the step in operative position on the rung of the ladder. lVhen it is desired to remove the step it is simply necessary to swing the member 4 to the dotted line position indicated in Figure 2, when the step can be removed and placed upon another rung or set to one side for further use.

The construction of my improved step is strong and durable to withstand rough usage to which it will be necessarily subjected; it is easily and quickly operated so that the workman will have no loss of time in using the same; and the step. gives a full support for the foot of the workman and overcomes the pain and discomfort and ill effects of standing upon rounded rungs, which is well known.

While I have illustrated what I believe to be a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that various changes and alterations might be made in the general form of the parts described without departing from my invention, and hence I do not limit myself to the precise details set forth but consider myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall Within the spirit and scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

A removable step of the character de- 5 scribed, composed of two sections hingedly connected, upwardly projecting bifurcated brackets at the ends of the step adapted to receive the stiles of a ladder, base projections on said brackets located under the step, and a supporting plate located under the step at an intermediate portion thereof c0- operating with the base projections of the brackets for direct contact with a rung of the ladder.

SAMUEL PUTNAM. 

